Visiting
a Hindu temple, receiving the Shakti from the majestic Gods of our religion,
can all together change the life of an individual. It alters the flow
of the pranas or life currents within this body. Shakti coming from
the great temples of our Gods and can change the patterns of karma dating
back many past lives, clearing and clarifying conditions that were created
hundreds of years ago and are but seeds now, waiting to manifest in
the future.

If a temple or shrine is not available for worship, then it is possible
to establish a communication with the Deity through visualization. Take
for example, Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed governor of nature, dharma,
science and knowledge. Worship of Lord Ganesha is immediate; to think
of His form is to contact Him. Close your eyes for a second visualize
His murthi or form. According to Vedas, to worship of Lord Vishnu in
the Morning and Lord Shiva in the evening Especially during Pradosha
Kaala is highly beneficial to the Sadhaka. When the 12th
tithi (Dwaadashi) in Krishna Paksha or Shukla Paksha ends before midnight.

Generally people observe Pradosha Vrata on every Trayodashi tithi (i.e.
13th Lunar day falling in Krishna and Shukla Pakshas) during
Sandhya Kaala (ie. During or after sunset).

The Lord of 13th Trayodashi Tithi is Kaama Deva whereas
the Lord of the succeeding Tithi i.e. 14th Chaturdashi is
Lord Rudra (Shiva) himself. The 14th day of the dark half
of every month – is called Sivaratri or Masa – sivaratri. The one in
the month of Magh (Feb-Mar) is called Mahasivaratri, since it is the
greatest of all.

The origin of Mahasivaratri When Brahma and Vishnu were disputing each
other’s greatness to establish their own supremacy, a huge Linga or
pillar of fire appeared suddenly that who ever finds the starting or
ending point of this Linga would be the greatest of all. Neither of
them succeeded and was hence obliged to accept the greatness of Siva
who had manifested as that pillar of light. This was the origin of Sivalinga
and Mahasivarati. It is also attributed as being the day of marriage
of Siva with Parvati.

The other example of the Siva’s Greatness Siva Mahadeva, drank the
halahala posion that emerged out of the milky ocean (ksirasagara) when
it was being churned by devas and the danavas (gods and demons), and
thus saved the worlds from destruction.

This vrata is open to all human beings. The basic disciplines to be
kept up on this day are:

Ahimasa (non-injury)

Satya (speaking the truth)

Brahmacarya (continence)

Daya (compassion)

Ksama (forgiveness)

Anasuyata (absence of jealousy).

So also jagarana or keeping vigil in the night.

Worship of Siva throughout the night, bathing the Sivalinga with pancamrta
(five tasty things – milk, curds, ghee, sugar and honey), homa, japa
of the mulamantra (basic mantra – Aum Nama Sivaya) and prayer for forgiveness
are the other items involved in its observance. The person can then,
at the end of vrata, do parana (breaking the fast by partaking of the
offerings)

One may take a vow to observe this varta for 24 or 14 or 12 years.
At the end of this period the person has to perform the udyapana, a
concluding rite indicating the completion of the vow. In the modern
days, fasting, visiting Siva temples and keeping awake in the night
are common.

There
are five types of Pradosh:

1. NITYA Pradosh- The evening time on all days, between
just 3 ghatis (72 minutes) before sunset and the time when the stars
rise or become visible in the sky.

2. Paksha Pradosh- Sandhya (evening) time of Shukla
Paksha Chaturthi (4th Lunar day after New Moon) every month.

4. Maha Pradosh- Sandhya time of Krishna Paksha Trayodashi
which falls on a Saturday.

5. Pralaya Pradosh- The time when the entire universe gets
annihilated of merged with Lord Shiva. Pradosh Vrat is observed on every
13th Lunar day after full and new Moon, by the wife and husband
jointly with the hope of being free from, miseries or for gaining material
prosperity.

They should bath early in the morning, adore Lord Shiva, and
fast during the day, and after bath in the Evening, perform Pujas to
Lord Shiva and his consort Pravati with the offerings of flowers and
Naivedyams.

They then take their supper or meal. This Vrat is brought to
a close at the end of a year.

All the four Purushaarthas, i.e., Dharma (good deeds), Artha (wealth),
Kama (material pleasures) and Moksha (liberation) are attained by any
person who performs good deeds like observing Vratas, constructing temple,
etc.

Reciting AUM NAMAH SHIVAYA devoutly for 108 times during this
period will enable the devotees to gain a lot of mental peace and material
benefits.

The
Skanda Purana relates how Sandilya Muni prescribed this Vrata
to a Brahmin lady. She came to the sage with two boys, her son, Suchivrata,
and an orphan prince, Dharmagupta, whose father was slain in battle
and the kingdom overrun by enemies.

Acting upon the advice of the sage, the woman and the boys performed
the Vrata with great devotion. After four months, that is, in the eighth
Pradosha, Suchivrata obtained a pot of nectar and drank the divine ambrosia.
Prince Dharmagupta won the hand of a celestial princess and, as ordered
by Lord Siva, with the help of the celestial king himself, his enemies
were slain and his kingdom restored to him. Then Dharmagupta attained
the Lord's supreme abode.

A very important point to be remembered in this connection is that
during this auspicious period all the hosts of celestial beings and
gods come down from the heavens and attend the worship in their subtle
forms. This adds immensely to the sanctity of the worship.

The mere sight of the Deity in a temple during this period will destroy
all sins and bestow bountiful blessings and Grace upon the fortunate
beholder. Even a single bel leaf offered to the Lord at this
unique, auspicious moment equals a hundred Mahapujas. It is usual to
have special additional lights in the shrine during the Pradosha.

Pradosh
means Trayodashi, Tithis falling in the evening of both Shukla and
Krishna Paksha. When the above coincides with Saturday it is known as
‘SHANI PRADOSH.

It is said that on this day all Gods and goddesses assemble at Mount
Kailesh to worship Lord Shiva. This bestows all kinds of wealth and
comforts to Sadhaka

Bathing an hour before sunset the worshipper first performs a preliminary
worship of Lord Shiva together with all the others of the divine family,
namely, Pravati, Ganesha, Skanda and Nandi.

After the Ganesha worship, Lord Shiva is invoked in the special Kalasha
placed on a square Mandala with drawn lotus spread with Darbha grass.
After formal worship has been completed, the SIVARATRI story is read.
(OR SHIVA PURANA IS READ)

This is followed by the recitation of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
108 times.

In the end the sacred kalasha water is taken, the sacred ash is applied
to the forehead and the sacred water, which is used to bathe the Lord,
is drunk as prashad.

A gift of a pot, a cloth and an image of god have to be given to a
Brahmin or in charity to conclude the worship. Even a single BILVA leaf
(leaf taken from the wood-apple tree) offered to the Lord at this unique
auspicious moment equals a 100’S OF Mahapujas.

HAVE SPECIAL ADDITIONAL LIGHTS IN THE SHRINE DURING THE SIVARATRI.

To light even a single Diva at this time is very meritorious and productive
of untold benefits, material as well as spiritual.

This is the most favorable moment for a direct contact with god. When
we fast and pray on that day, we can reduce our bodily activities to
the minimum and can have the vision of the lord who resides in our heart.

In all this rites, the Brahmin or poor people shall be feed according
to one's ability for the completion of the sacred rites.